Rosa Irene

The Communal Bank “Con Amor Y Fe Hacia el Desarrollo” (Toward Development with Love and Faith) meets every 15 days in Los Bajos de Montecristi, a city known for its rich culture and its handicrafts. For example, its straw hats are known within and outside of the country.

It is in this place that one can meet Sra. Rosa. She is 70 years old, married, and has six children who are all grown and independent. Only one of them still lives with her. Her husband is a merchant, but he hardly works because of illness.

Sra. Rosa has a food store in her house where she sells products such as rice, sugar, grain, detergents, legumes, meat, fish, chicken, and other basic products. She also began selling cylinders of natural gas. Rosa says that her sales have been good because there are not many places where people can buy this product that is a necessity for many Ecuadorian homes. She works every day from 6am to 8pm. Rosa has been in business for more than 30 years and has done very well. Her son and her husband help her with the business.

This new loan will be invested in the purchase of basic necessity products to restock her store as well as cylinders of natural gas. Rosa has been with the Communal Bank since the beginning and enjoys the help and collaboration of her group. Her dreams include continuing in her business because she enjoys making sales and managing her store.